Local Government

Suppose you want to build a fence. Or get married. Either way, you’re going to need paperwork.

To whom can you complain about these ballooning property taxes? And, while you’re at it, somebody really should look into putting a stop sign at that intersection around the block.

With each and every one of those queries, you’ll eventually end up at the same place: your local government.

While national issues tend to dominate our airwaves and algorithms, most of the decisions that affect your daily life are made close to home. The Fredericksburg Free Press’s Local Government 101 is meant to provide you with the concepts, definitions and specifics needed to make informed decisions and participate more fully in your com-munity.

So, what is Local Government?

Local government is the term for the government of a smaller area that is a subdivision of a greater political area. These include counties, towns and cities like Fredericksburg. Local governments are charged with day-to-day policymaking with the interests of the communities they serve in mind.

Robert’s Rules of Order

All localities in our region (The City of Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties) follow Robert’s Rules of Order. The objective of Robert’s Rules of Order are the standard (or, at least it should be) rules of morality for conducting meetings, including how to make motions, debate and vote.

When it comes to meeting structure, Robert’s Rules are commenced by being called to order, old business being addressed, followed by new business and then, voting. When motions are made, a member must propose it, a second member must agree by seconding the motion, then leading to a debate and vote. A majority of two-thirds is needed to pass a motion. To vote, the use of voice, hands, and ballots is acceptable.

Forms of local government:

County Executive: Spotsylvania County as well as Stafford County, operates using a county executive form of government. In both counties, a county executive form of government refers to the governmental structure where the county administrator is appointed to oversee daily operations in the locality. 

The administrator and their county administration staff focus on five main areas: executive management and leadership, which focuses on oversight of county services, programs and activities, and leads professional development for county staff; legislative facilitation, primarily the development and implementation of county budget, assisting in appointing members of commissions, committees, and authorities, and approving and enforcing local ordinances; staff support, which includes preparing agenda materials for the Board of Supervisors and committees, processing approved materials, and preparing statistical and financial reports; public information, meaning they are the primary information source for accurate county service information for officials, staff, citizens, and the public, they also support and plan special events and initiatives